Please read prior to submitting your application

• You will receive initial communication from Clover Search Works, the search firm supporting Heartland Fund in this search. Clover is a nonprofit search firm that partners with nonprofit organizations across the country. Clover team members will conduct the initial review and screening of applications, with formal interviews being conducted by the Heartland Fund team.
• Throughout the search, if you have questions please reach out to Yohanna Briscoe at yohanna [at] cloversearchworks.com 

Senior Director of Finance & Operations

Heartland Fund is seeking an experienced financial leader to be its first Senior Director of Finance and Operations (SDFO). For a thoughtful, mission-driven professional, this senior leadership position combines strategic vision and analysis with the hands-on development and management of financial and operational functions for a growing funding collaborative.

The SDFO will be the organization’s senior financial leader who sits on the senior leadership team and is a strategic partner to the Executive Director and Deputy Director. This is an exciting opportunity to build and oversee the Finance and Operations functions for the Heartland Fund as well as its affiliated 501c4, Rural Victory Fund, as these entities grow. The SDFO will lead and manage an expanding finance and operations team, currently 2 staff and adding 2 more within the next year. The SDFO will be the steward of our resources and the architect of the systems that make our work possible – from ensuring strong fiscal health to supporting a nationally dispersed team to do their best work.

You will have an opportunity to help us shape and expand this new senior leadership role and enable historic, equitable investment in rural communities, democracy, and climate solutions. This is a unique and dynamic position with opportunities for leadership, growth, and impact.

This is a remote position with a salary range of $170,000 to $200,000 and includes a generous benefits package.

About the Organization

As a funder collaborative, the Heartland Fund scales investment, supports local leaders, and builds long-term partnerships with rural and Native organizations to create thriving places where rural working people can determine our own futures, strengthening the entire nation. Heartland's grantmaking and programmatic investments support rural people working to transform their lives and communities toward shared prosperity, a healthy climate, and stronger democracy. We invest in building local capacity for issue advocacy, community organizing, economic development and local jobs, climate solutions, civic engagement, and sustainable urban-rural coalitions. We prioritize racial justice in all aspects of our work. In addition to grantmaking, Heartland also supports rural leaders and organizations through convening, research, and communications and storytelling.

Heartland Fund has three programs: 

• Rural Democracy, with a network of more than 150 grantees across 25 states where rural action can define policy and democratic outcomes, expands nonpartisan civic participation in rural places and counters narratives and policies that harm our democratic institutions. Heartland’s Rural Youth Voter Fund is a signature initiative of the Rural Democracy program.

• Resource Rural (RR) mobilizes resources enabling rural communities to unlock public and private investment to create positive economic change in their communities.. 

• Rural Climate Partnership (RCP) supports hometowns across America to accelerate climate solutions and build healthy local economies.

Both RR and RCP programs help rural communities access public funding – through place-based technical assistance, local organizing, and a large-scale communications and narrative effort – to make a tangible difference in rural people’s lives and to advance climate mitigation and resilience.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

The Senior Director of Finance and Operations (SDFO) will report to the Deputy Director. They will collaborate with the full senior Leadership team, and across the organization, to steward the financial and operational health of the growing organization. The SDFO will lead the growing finance and operations team, which includes staff members and contracted support.

Financial Management & Planning 

• Lead the organization's financial strategy, planning, and analysis to drive sustainable growth and steward its rural mission.

• Establish and steward operating reserves and resource-allocation strategies for organizational resilience. 

• Lead and oversee multi-year budgeting, monitoring and forecasting to ensure accuracy and alignment with strategic goals. Partner with the Leadership Team to align financial planning with strategic goals.

• Develop and share financial reports with internal leadership as well as Board and Board committees.

• Manage cash flow and oversee bank and investment relationships.

• Implement and monitor fiscal policies and internal controls to safeguard assets and mitigate risks.

• Provide strategic financial insights and recommendations to Leadership Team peers.

Accounting & Compliance 

• Oversee all accounting operations for accuracy, compliance, and financial integrity in compliance with GAAP and IRS requirements. 

• Develop and maintain an accounting system including integrations to other systems (i.e. CRM, GMS), and Chart of Accounts. 

• Partner with the Leadership Team and collaborate across the organization to develop and track revenue goals, oversee grant compliance, and financial reporting to funders.

• Oversee the annual audit process and required tax filings.

Operational Systems & Organizational Infrastructure  

• Oversee PEO, total compensation and benefits, and payroll functions with the support of team members and contractors.

• With support from Operations staff, oversee technology systems and data management, ensuring the team is supported with high quality, accessible technology and data tools and strong digital and data security.

• Oversee operations for in-person convenings and events, including vendor relationships, contracts, and logistics. 

• Oversee the development and maintenance of policies and procedures, continually refining internal systems and processes that support effective, values-aligned collaboration with grantee and funder partners.

• Responsible for risk management, including maintaining appropriate business insurance and oversight of contracts.

Team Leadership & Development

• Build, manage, and mentor the Finance & Operations team; foster a culture of stewardship, learning, and shared purpose.

• Manage and oversee high-level Finance, HR, and IT consultants to ensure optimal results that complement and augment Heartland Fund staff.

• Equip staff with nonprofit financial literacy, tools, and confidence to be responsible stewards of resources.

• Help steer and ensure the overall cultural and financial health of the organization.

• Contribute as a Senior Leadership Team member and to overall organizational strategy.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will combine senior level finance and operations experience with a passion for rural communities, environmental and economic justice, and a thriving democracy. They will bring exceptional financial management skills, strong organizational talents, and systems building experience to help us effectively partner with our grantees and funders.  

Heartland Fund’s growing team takes pride in building an organizational culture rooted in learning, collaboration, racial justice, and a deep commitment to our mission. All staff are expected to provide leadership and vision to advance our mission, vision, and core strategies.

Qualifications 

We realize that some great candidates may not have every single thing on this list.  If you believe you would be a great fit for this role, we encourage you to apply. 

Essential

• At least 8-10 years of relevant work experience in nonprofit finance, accounting, and operations including:

• Stewardship of restricted/unrestricted funds and grant compliance with timely, accurate reporting.

• Managing financial and operations staff, contractors, and/or teams.

• Multi-year forecasting and budgeting. 

• Experience overseeing audits and tax filings.

• Experience with compliance and risk management, especially in 501c3 and 501c4 nonprofit entities.

• Experience overseeing payroll and benefits in a PEO or HRIS.

• Strong commitment to racial justice and fluency with equity practices.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Strong team, organizational, and project management skills and attention to detail.

• Values learning and continuous growth. 

• Strong technology skills and ability to quickly learn a range of platforms such as Sage Intacct, RAMP, Donor Perfect, Fluxx, Airtable, Monday, Slack, and Google Suite.

Desired

• Experience living and/or working in rural America.

• Experience with finances and operations for funder collaboratives, grantmaking intermediaries, and/or other multi-entity organizations

• MBA and/or CPA 

• Advanced proficiency with financial systems and business intelligence tools and experience building finance infrastructure.

• Demonstrated experience working effectively with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and perspectives: 

• Appreciation of the diverse cultural traditions of rural people and places.

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.

• Comfort working with a range of individuals in nonprofit organizations, government, foundations, and private sectors.

Compensation & Job Design

This is a regular, full time, exempt position with occasional travel. The organization is virtual, and the position may work remotely from their home within the United States. Expected compensation will be based on skills and relevant experience, with a salary range of $170,000 to $200,000. 

Comprehensive benefits package includes 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees (and their families). Employees are able to enroll in 401k retirement plan and are eligible for a 3% automatic contribution and up to a 3% employer match on 401k contributions. Employees are also eligible for pre-tax transportation benefits. Employees will receive 120 hours of vacation time, 80 hours of health leave, up to 2 days of casual leave, and 20 hours of volunteer leave annually. Employees will also receive 13 paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Employees are eligible for 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave after 90 days of employment. All employees of Windward are required to complete timesheets. 

Heartland Fund is fiscally sponsored by the Windward Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grantmaking programs. Windward is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. Windward’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working. 

The individual holding this position may also work part-time for a coordinated project, Rural Victory Fund, in Sixteen Thirty Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization, under a resource sharing agreement between Windward Fund and Sixteen Thirty Fund. The responsibilities under that position will be overseen by Sixteen Thirty Fund.

Windward participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employees’ Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the United States. Job candidates and employees authorized to work may not be discriminated against on the basis of national origin or citizenship status.  

How to Apply

Applications will be reviewed and considered on a rolling basis. A limited number of

screening calls and interview spots will be filled starting in early February 2026, with a desired start date by April 2026. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

The Heartland Fund is partnering with Clover Search Works on this search. Questions regarding this opportunity are welcomed and can be directed to Yohanna Briscoe at yohanna (at) cloversearchworks.com